It’s been just a few months since Lamborghini upgraded the flagship Aventador to S specs, thus introducing the facelifted model, and the Italian firm is already testing a new iteration of the supercar. With the mid-cycle facelift and the high-performance SuperVeloce (SV) already on the road it might seem out of place for Lambo to test a new version of the current generation model, but the prototype our paparazzi caught testing on public roads doesn’t appear to be a next-gen car. Instead, it looks like Lamborghini is actually preparing yet another high-performance model.
There’s no official confirmation from the automaker as of this writing, but the general consensus is that Lamborghini will launch a Performante version of the Aventador soon.
Granted, it might not make much sense with the SV already around, but given that the Huracan Aventador is quicker and better at the track than any other Aventador to date, it makes a lot of sense to have a more track-prepped version of the company’s flagship supercar.
It also seems a bit awkward to have something placed above the SV, especially since the Murcielago didn’t get a more aggressive version, but it wouldn’t be a first for the range-topping model. Back in the 1990s, Lambo offered the SE30 Jota and GT as more powerful iterations of the iconic Diablo. Needless to say, the Italian carmaker wants to do it again with the Aventador, but under a different name.
Continue reading to learn more about the Lamborghini Aventador Performante.
Exterior
Judging by the spy shots we received, the Aventador that Lambo is currently testing seems to be nearly identical to the existing S model, launched for the 2018 model year. So how do we know it’s a higher performance Performante model? The most important clue is visible around back, where the supercar sports two additional exhaust pipes.
The outlets are mounted higher into the body, where the license place should be, which is very similar to the positioning seen on the Huracan Performante. The standard exhaust placed in the diffuser is still there and it appears to be the one that actually works on this car, but Lambo is definitely testing a new exhaust system for the Aventador. What’s more, the intakes below the taillights are also larger, yet another feature seen on the Huracan Performante.
Expect to see numerous carbon-fiber parts, a large rear wing, a redesigned diffuser, and reshaped vents front and rear.
There isn’t much to talk about up front, but the bumper is wrapped in thin camouflage and there is additional tape at each corner. This could mean that Lamborghini is preparing a more comprehensive aerodynamic package that will include additional bumper elements such as winglets and maybe even a revised splitter.
As you might have already noticed, there’s no sign of the Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva (ALA) system that Lambo created for the Huracan Performante, but these aero bits should find their way on the Aventador as testing evolves. Expect to see numerous carbon-fiber parts, a large rear wing, a redesigned diffuser, and reshaped vents in the front and rear.
Interior
Note: Huracan Perfomante interior pictured here.
There’s no hint as to what we may find inside in addition to what the standard Aventador features, but it’s safe to assume that the Performante will benefit from all the upgrades that the supercar received in 2017. Novelties include a new digital instrument cluster, the Ego mode, and Apple CarPlay connectivity. In addition to that, it should get some of the new features seen in the Huracan Performante.
Many elements will be replaced by the company’s “forged composite” alloy, made from chopped carbon fiber and resin.
For starters, many elements will be replaced by the company’s “forged composite” alloy, made from chopped carbon fiber and resin. Lambo used this material for the A/C vents, gear paddles, door handles, and center console in the Huracan, so it’s safe to assume we should see similar bits in the Aventador Performante.
Much like any track-prepped supercar, nearly every surface will come wrapped in black Alcantara. However, contrast stitching and the optional “Y” graphics for the seats will add a splash of color. On the tech side, the digital display will be updated to include information from the ALA system, in which Lambo’s telemetry function will be included in the standard package.
Drivetrain
I expect the Aventador Performante to crank out around 765 horsepower and 530 pound-feet of twist.
With the Performante nameplate having added extra horsepower and torque to the Huracan, it’s safe to assume that it will do the same for the Aventador. However, the Aventador Performante needs to be not only more powerful than the standard model, but also sit above the SuperVeloce in terms of output.
Based on the increase seen on the Huracan Performante, I expect the Aventador Performante to crank out around 765 horsepower and 530 pound-feet of twist. This would translate into a 35-horsepower and 21-pound-foot increase over the Aventador S and a 25-horsepower increase over the SV model.
It might not seem like a lot more oomph, but the revised 6.5-liter V-12 engine will be backed by a range of weight-saving features that will reduce the car’s curb weight by around 100 pounds. As a result, it should be able to hit 60 mph from a standing start in 2.7 seconds, two tenths quicker than the standard model. At the same time, the Performante will be a tenth-second quicker than the SuperVeloce.
All these enhancements should also enable the Aventador Performante to lap the Nurburgring track quicker than the SuperVeloce.
The extra power should also make use of a new chassis setup, a revised suspension system with stiffer everything, and ventilated, cross-drilled carbon-ceramic brakes.
All these enhancements should also enable the Aventador Performante to lap the Nurburgring track quicker than the SuperVeloce, which needed 6:59.73 minutes. Actually, the Aventador should also be quicker than the Huracan Performante, which just set a new production car record with a 6:52.01-minute lap. Will the Aventador Performante become the first street-legal production model to lap the “Green Hell” in less than six minutes and 50 seconds? Chances are it will, but all we can do right now is wait and see.
Prices
Pricing information is obviously still a mystery, but it’s safe to assume that the Performante will be the most expensive Aventador ever. With the Aventador S priced from $421,350, the Performante could cost around $480,000 before options.
Competition
Ferrari 812 Superfast
Granted, the 812 Superfast isn’t as track-focused at the Aventador Performante, but until Ferrari updates the F12tdf to 812 specifications, you’ll have to settle with this car if you’re hooked on Maranello-built vehicles. Launched as a mid-cycle upgrade for the F12berlinetta, the 812 Superfast was redesigned significantly on the outside, gaining a more aggressive stance and more modern features. The Superfast gets its juice from a new, 6.5-liter V-12 rated at 789 horsepower and 530 pound-feet of torque. That’s 59 extra horsepower compared to the F12berlinetta, to go with 20 additional pound-feet of twist. The 812 Superfast is also more potent than the limited-edition F12tdf, boasting an extra 20 horsepower and 11 pound-feet, which makes it the most powerful Ferrari in the company’s history. Not surprisingly, the 812 Superfast is quicker than the F12berlinetta from 0 to 60 mph, needing 2.9 ticks to complete the benchmark. Pricing is not yet available, but it should fetch around $340,000 before options.
Learn more about the Ferrari 812 Superfast here.
Posche 911 Turbo S
The 911 Turbo S isn’t exactly a supercar in terms of out and it’s definitely not the kind of vehicle that Lambo and Ferrari buyers would consider, but it’s amazingly fast. Its exterior design is arguably more iconic than those of its competitors, while the cabin has plenty of premium features and tech to brag about. The 2017-model-year update brought a revised twin-turbo, 3.8-liter flat-six engine that cranks out 580 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, and it’s this specific feature that makes the 911 Turbo S a menacing car. While not as powerful as the Aventador or Superfast, the Turbo S has more torque at its disposal and when equipped with the Sport Chrono package, it becomes incredibly quick, needing only 2.8 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standing start. Another thing that makes the 911 Turbo S an appealing choice is the $188,100 sticker.
Find out more about the Porsche 911 Turbo S here.
Conclusion
The rumor about Lambo building a Performante version of the Aventador took me by surprise. Sure, the Italians could use a different name and leave the Performante badge for the Huracan only, but it’s still big news given that the Murcielago never made it past the “SV” version. This means that Lambo is set out to defeat the competition in just about any department in what appears to be a very aggressive campaign against the likes of Ferrari, Porsche, and McLaren. If the Huracan manages to retain its record a while longer and the Aventador hits the market with its very own benchmark, Lambo will become the first manufacturer to rule ’Ring with two cars at the same time.